As we inch ever so closer to the start of the 2022 college football season, it is time to focus on creating your draft strategy for your upcoming fantasy league. Last year, we saw the likes of Brock Bowers, Kenneth Walker, and A.T. Perry turn themselves into can’t miss surprises as well as the Iowa D/ST unit. Now with all eyes turned to the upcoming season, fantasy players are trying to find this year’s Can’t Miss Guys. Well, look no further. Whether it is a 4-team league or a 12-team league, 2-QBs or 1-QB, here are my Top 10 Can’t Miss Guys for this season.
Top 10 Can’t Miss Players on CFB Draft Day
Quarterbacks
Tyler Van Dyke QB, Miami
Last year, Van Dyke quickly took over as QB No. 1 for Miami after D’Eriq King suffered a season-ending injury. Despite struggling in his first two starts, Van Dyke averaged 366 yards, 3.3 touchdowns, 0.5 interceptions, and had an average QBR of 84.85 in the last 6 games. If you compared to the full season averages of the nation’s best signal-callers, he would have averaged 4th in yards per game, 3rd in touchdowns per game, while his QBR ranked 11th.
Van Dyke quickly became a can’t miss on the waiver wire and is now leading my Can’t Miss List this year. The 2022 season looks to provide a lot of opportunity for Van Dyke as Miami’s schedule has only two teams ranked in ESPN’s 2022 Future Defensive Rankings, Clemson (2) and Texas A&M (3) which leaves 10 weeks of weaker defenses and video game numbers for this can’t miss QB. Van Dyke sits as QB No. 29 on the Fantrax QB list, and if he stays that low, not only will you have a chance to grab the biggest can’t miss player on my list, but you can also get him with tremendous value.
Will Rogers QB, Miss St.
Clouded by Heisman Trophy winner Bryce Young as well as the likes of Matt Corral and Hendon Hooker, Will Rogers quietly had a monstrous season, earning a spot on the can’t miss list. Will Rogers ranked 2nd in the nation in completion percentage (73.9%), third in yards (4,739), and tied for seventh in TDs (36), he also threw for over 400 yards in four games last season.
The X-Factor for Rogers success will be his offensive line. Rogers took 34 sacks last season and the Bulldogs have lost their best O-lineman in Charles Cross and this year’s unit will feature two new tackles. That may not be comforting with Alabama, Texas A&M, Georgia, and LSU all ranking in the Top 10 0f ESPN’s 2022 Future Defensive Rankings. However, Rogers will get plenty of opportunities and Miss St. is primed for success with Leach’s year-three magic. Rogers currently sits at QB No. 8 on Fantrax QB rankings, meaning there is no time to waste on this can’t miss prospect. Will Rogers is a league-winning CFF QB.
Winner of TCU QB battle
Though it is assumed that Max Duggan is going to be the starting QB for the Horned Frogs this season, Chandler Morris will not go down quietly especially in front of first year-coach Sonny Dykes. Duggan is recently removed from fixing a heart issue stemming from COVID-19 and last year was banged up in 2021. However, both him and Morris are full go and both could be capable of big things thanks to the new offensive approach from Dykes.
Duggan’s 2021 stats are not going to impress, he ranked 84th in yards and 69th in touchdowns while also adding 352 yards on the ground. Morris came in and was a solid second option when Duggan was struggling or hurt. He led TCU, in his lone start, to an upset win over 12th ranked Baylor as he threw for 461 yards and two scores while adding another 70 on the ground with a rushing TD.
Both have shown glimpses of dominating performances and if one of them can be consistent these flyers could pay off big time. TCU ranks 9th in returning production and has loads of talent around the QB. Quentin Johnson might be the best receiver in the Big 12 while the backfield looks like a solid group despite losing Evans to Mississippi.
The Horned Frogs schedule slates some weak defenses with only Baylor and Oklahoma State ranking in the top 20 of ESPN’s 2022 Future Defensive Rankings. Morris ranks 63rd on the Fantrax QB list while Duggan ranks 73rd which adds great value to these can’t miss guys. If Duggan can stay healthy or Morris thrives under the new Sonny Dykes system, these guys could push you deep into your league’s playoffs.
Malik Cunningham QB, Louisville
This can’t miss QB was 59 passing yards away from throwing for 3,000 yards and rushing for over 1,000. As a quarterback, Cunningham ranked 46th in the nation in rushing yards. What’s even scarier for opponents is Louisville ranks 6th in returning offensive production (89%) which means Cunningham is a can’t miss QB for your league.
Only two of the Cardinals’ 12 opponents rank in the Top 25 of ESPN’s 2022 Future Defensive Rankings, Clemson (1) and North Carolina State (20). With his rushing ability, Cunningham may end up being an early-round pick in your draft this year, but if he falls into your lap take it, with his well-rounded play and easy schedule, this can’t miss field general might lead all quarterbacks at the end of the season.
Running Backs
Gavin Williams RB, Iowa
You may have never heard of Gavin Williams, so now is a good time to learn the name. Williams will be the focal point of this Hawkeye offense thanks to poor quarterback play. Tyler Goodson dominated the backfield for Iowa last season, but Williams might be better. Goodson sat out for the bowl game, giving Williams his only start against a tough Kentucky defense. He recorded 98 yards on 16 attempts and that 6.1 average would have ranked in the top 50 in the nation. He did that in his only start against the 17th-ranked rushing defense.
Williams will face a lot of tough defenses in the Big 10 this season, but if Iowa’s O-line can improve, this guy could quietly rank amongst the top dogs in the Conference. He ranks as the 59th ranked RB on the Fantrax RB list, making him a valuable flyer for your draft strategy. It is his offense, expect big things from Williams in 2022.
Mohamed Ibrahim RB, Minnesota
Let’s hope you didn’t forget his name, Ibrahim might end up in NYC for the Heisman ceremony this season…Probably not, but he could leave you with a trophy by the end of the season. Running for over 1,000 yards twice in his career, in 2020 Ibrahim ran for 1,076 yards and scored 15 times in just seven games which was good for best in the Big 10. He picked up right where he left off in last year by running for 163 yards and adding two touchdowns in about 2.5 quarters against Ohio St. before tearing his ACL, leading him to miss the rest of 2021. However, Ibrahim is healthy and ready to find his dominating success from 2020.
The Gophers will face Wisconsin and Penn State on the road and Iowa at home, but the remaining games should provide plentiful opportunity for Mo to put up video game numbers. He currently ranks 24th on Fantrax RB rankings, but he has the potential to be a Top 1o CFF runner by season’s end. This can’t miss prospect comes with great value and will be a big impact on your team this season.
Nicholas Singleton RB, Penn St.
To round out my Big 10 dominated RB list, let’s look at this can’t miss, former Gatorade Player of the Year, Freshman RB Nicholas Singleton. Ranking 31st in the 2022 class and RB No. 1 by 247Sports. Singleton will provide immediate support to veteran QB Sean Clifford and that Lions offense. It may take a week or two for Singleton to establish himself as the top option for Franklin, thanks to a committee of solid choices, but he is the best option for PSU.
Singleton ranks 23rd on the Fantrax RB list and has the capability of being a solid RB No. 2 for your team, though till he is named starter at Penn State it may be better to play it safe and think of him as an RB No. 3 to start the season. Whatever it is, this guy is a can’t miss player.
Wide Receivers
Quentin Johnston WR, TCU
Despite having a run-first scheme, with a healthy quarterback at the helm, it is time to expect big things from this sophomore receiver. Johnston struggled a bit with consistency last season but most of that is to blame on the poor-quarterback situation. In his eight games last year, he had four games where he recorded 38 yards or less, but four games where he posted 95 or more. He knows how to show up in big games as he posted his top two performances against #4 Oklahoma (185 yards and three scores) and #12 Baylor (142 yards).
As mentioned earlier, with only Baylor and Oklahoma State showcasing strong defenses and a new offensive set up, we should see some big-time production from Johnston this year. Johnston ranks 9th on the Fantrax WR list, so do not miss your chance on adding him to your team. He is can’t miss this year. Again, can’t miss, do not miss on Johnston.
Marvin Harrison Jr. WR, Ohio State
Harrison Jr. got his first big opportunity in the Rose Bowl last season after Wilson and Olave opted out of the bowl game. Most remember Jaxson Smith-Njigba’s performance and rightfully so, but what most people missed was Harrison Jr. added three touchdowns and 71 yards on six receptions in that game. Though he won’t be WR No. 1 for his team, he may be for yours.
With Jaxon Smith-Njigba (JSN) attracting most of the defense’s attention, look for Harrison Jr. to pop off in some games this year. Not only will be lined up opposite of the nation’s best receiver, but his signal-caller (who may win the Heisman) also does a really good job of scanning the field and not focusing on one guy. If you miss on JSN early do not panic, Harrison Jr. will be there for the taking. Ranking 12th on Fantrax WR rankings, expect big things from this can’t miss playmaker.
D/ST
Iowa D/ST
Iowa had an unreal year on the defensive side of the ball last season. Tallying 1.8 TO in a game and ranking 15th in scoring defense, 19th in yards allowed this Iowa unit paid dividends if it was on your team last season.
Returner Charlie Jones made a lot of noise as he had 635 kick return yards and had one kick return touchdown. The Hawkeyes rank 7th in ESPN’s 2022 Future Defensive Rankings and bring back a lot of production on defense. To start, Iowa may have the best linebacking unit in the nation as they return all three starters from last season, a unit that combined for 298 tackles, 9.5 TFL, and 4 interceptions.
Not only that, but they bring back Big 10 defensive back of the year in Riley Moss (39 tackles, 4 INT, 5 PD), Kaevon Merriweather (42 tackles, 4 PD), Jermari Harris (34 tackles, 4 INT, 4 PD), and incoming 5-star Xavier Nwankpa who was rated as the 5th safety in the 2022 class. Their defensive line brings back a unit that tallied 14 sacks last season. They did lose Jones to Purdue so the ST side may be a question mark, but their defense is going to be insane once again. They currently rank 4th on Fantrax D/ST List, so make sure you grab this can’t miss unit.
You can expect more than 10 breakout players this season in your fantasy league so a few other potential can’t miss players include, QBs Dillon Gabriel Oklahoma, Cam Ward, Washington State, Jaxson Dart, Mississippi, RBs Chris Rodriguez, Kentucky, Pat Garwo, III, Boston College, WRs Rara Thomas, Mississippi State, Rakim Jarrett, Maryland, TE Sam Laporta, Iowa and D/ST unit Texas A&M. Though you will miss out on some of these can’t miss guys, if you can get your hands on any of these X-Factors, you can expect big things from your team this season.